Adele Roberts has revealed she has had a stoma bag fitted amid her treatment for bowel cancer, crediting it with helping save her life.
The BBC Radio 1 presenter, 42, took to Instagram to share a photo of her stoma as she thanked the NHS for their ‘brilliance’ since discovering she had cancer.
Alongside a photo of her pulling up her pink hospital nightgown to unveil the bag, she wrote: ‘Thank you NHS! I love you! You heroes!
‘Had this t-shirt by my side all week (thank you Katie)… going out to everyone who needs to see it: “Keep going, you’ve got this”.
‘Even though I’m leaving hospital today I will really miss the staff here. They’ve been my family away from my family. Thank you for keeping me safe. I’ve also gained a new little friend.
‘I think this is my favourite selfie ever. I’m rubbish at selfies but I loved taking this one. I’m bruised… I keep finding new holes but I’m recovering and this little stoma bag helped save my life.
‘I’m still learning to look after it. It’s been a rollercoaster so far. I feel like I need a trainer to help me tame it. It’s wild! Haha. It does what it wants when it wants… but I’m sure I’ll get there. Get ready Kate because our new house guest seems very naughty.’
A stoma is an opening which is made on the abdomen with surgery, to divert urine or faeces out of the body and into a colostomy bag.
There are many reasons why people get stomas including bowel cancer like Adele, or other chronic illnesses such as Crohn’s Disease and they can be temporary or permanent.
The former I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here star continued: ‘I’ll admit, all of this has been overwhelming at times. A lot for me to take in. It’s all happened so quickly from diagnosis to treatment but that’s the brilliance of the NHS. I am so grateful to them and I know I am very lucky.
‘Thank you to every single person who’s been in touch and so kind to my family – I cannot thank you enough! So much love to everyone who’s sent positive thoughts and good energy. You’ve got me through more than you can imagine. There’s a long way to go on this journey but thanks to what I’ve experienced this week I know I can give this my best shot.’
She urged others to get checked if they were experiencing any unusual symptoms, adding that ‘early detection saves lives when it comes to cancer.’
Adele added: ‘I’ve got a bit of a wait to hear about my tumour and what it will mean for the future, but fingers crossed it’s good news. Either way I’m grateful for one thing out of all of this. It’s reminded me to LIVE LIFE.
‘Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and thanks again for everything. Home in time for a good brew, a piece of Battenberg and some Strictly Ballroom. Get in! I feel like that guy at the end of ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’… It absolutely is too.’
Adele had revealed her diagnosis last Sunday and has kept her followers up to date with the resulting surgery and her treatment so far.
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MORE : ‘Brave’ Adele Roberts supported by Radio 1 colleagues ahead of bowel cancer tumour removal